Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Reports Differ on WWE Stars’ Safety Concerns Ahead of Crown Jewel
Reports differ on whether WWE wrestlers asked to avoid Crown Jewel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over safety concerns.
One account says several wrestlers, including top talent, asked not to be booked, while another says no one has withdrawn from the event.
Some wrestlers booked for the show have also raised concerns, and an unnamed top star said declining to travel was not being encouraged.
The event is scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh, amid regional tensions and security concerns.
Crown Jewel has moved to an indoor venue in the city, replacing a planned outdoor temporary venue.
TKO president Mark Shapiro said the company would consider cancelling upcoming Saudi events if regional conflicts escalated further.
Fightful reported that multiple WWE stars, including top talent, did not want to be booked for Crown Jewel because of safety concerns in Saudi Arabia.
Wrestling Inc reported that no WWE talent had asked to stay behind or pulled out of the event.
WWE officials reportedly told booked talent that safety precautions would be a priority.
The event remains scheduled for November 7 in Riyadh, at an indoor venue.
TKO president Mark Shapiro said the company would consider cancelling Saudi events if regional conflicts escalated further.
- Who
- WWE stars and the company. Reports differ on whether talent asked not to be booked or to stay behind.
- What
- Reports say some wrestlers raised safety concerns ahead of Crown Jewel, while another report said no talent had asked to stay behind.
- When
- The reports were published October 30 and 31, 2026. Crown Jewel is scheduled for November 7.
- Where
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Why
- Some wrestlers reportedly had safety concerns amid regional tensions and travel disruptions.
Wrestlers reportedly seeking not to be booked
Wrestling Inc report
Requests before booking
Wrestlers reportedly seeking not to be booked
Fightful reported that multiple stars told WWE they did not want to be booked because of safety concerns.
Wrestling Inc report
Wrestling Inc reported no talent had asked to stay behind or pulled out of the event.
Concerns among booked talent
Wrestlers reportedly seeking not to be booked
Fightful reported that some talent booked for the event also expressed concerns.
Wrestling Inc report
Wrestling Inc said there were no reports of anyone within the company pulling out.
Attacks by the Houthis in Yemen were followed by Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport being closed or operating limited flights for much of October.
TKO president Mark Shapiro said on a staff Zoom call that the company would consider cancelling Saudi events if regional conflicts escalated further.
Wrestling Inc reported that no WWE talent had asked to stay behind or pulled out of Crown Jewel.
Fightful reported that multiple WWE stars did not want to be booked for Crown Jewel because of safety concerns.
Crown Jewel is scheduled to take place in Riyadh.
- Event
- WWE Crown Jewel
- Scheduled date
- November 7, 2026
- Location
- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Venue
- The Venue, an indoor location
- Airport
- King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh
3 sources
What people are saying
Multiple WWE stars, including top talent, made it clear to the company that they did not want to be booked for Crown Jewel because of safety concerns in Saudi Arabia.
the company would not hesitate to cancel its upcoming events in Saudi Arabia if conflicts in the region escalated further.
is something very much not being encouraged
Posts on X
Multiple WWE stars, including top talent, made it clear to the company that they did not want to be booked for Crown Jewel because of safety concerns in Saudi Arabia, @FightfulSelect learned. Some talent booked for the event also expressed concerns, though WWE officials have